Stringy, your initial post ended with "much more to come...", so personally, I've been waiting for your further reports. I've found the large rudder a bit more of a hassle when transporting, but not that bad when you get used to it and very worthwhile if you're using the AI in sailing mode, even with the regular sail.

Yes, you're right Chris. I was initially very excited that the TI mast/sail combo worked OK but then TI sailing took priority again. It also took forever to get the upgraded TI socket screw from Hobie. There was a parts mixup and they were on backorder. I didn't want to do too much testing without replacing it. Re the rudder - I store the AI above the TI on the trailer and I slide the AI hull on/off from the front of the trailer twice each week. It's another reason I've been reluctant to instal the vertical rudder.

Refresh me,.. can you unfurl all the way now? Complications? Sailshape? Headroom?I'm hankerin to see sideview shots with the TI sail fully deployed. Would be awesome.

I haven't got any good side on pics yet... but I will.In answer to your guestions:Unfurl?-Yes all the way Complications? A couple:-building up the mast drum with plastic film to fit the AI and then having to remove it for the TI-the furling line looks funny wrapped around the mast but it works OK, Sailshape? Normal as far as I can tell,Headroom? Plenty

Chekika wrote:

That is a heck of a mod for the AI, Stringy! I do worry about the stresses it may put on your "ordinary" AI.Keith

I look at it this way Keith. The AI was designed by Hobie to handle the energy from a certain wind strength. Now I don't know what that is but experience tells me to start furling the sail at around 20knots. There is a margin for error built in as I've been hit by 30 knot gusts with the sail fully out and have had no damage. With this larger sail I was aiming for better performance in lighter winds. With nearly twice the sail area it should be OK to have all the TI sail out in 10-15knots and not exceed the design specs.The risk is getting hit by a gust above 15knots and having all the sail out but if I sail with care in those conditions, furl early and release the sheet if needed, I'm hoping it will be OK.

Now I'm no engineer and I'm willing to be corrected if my thinking above is flawed!

Last edited by stringy on Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

Here you go Nohuhu. I took some pics just after I got back from my kayak commute:I guess the sheet angle isn't ideal but it works. The foot of the sail could be a little tighter when close hauled but I don't think that's a real issue.